A Mediterranean Diet in Colon Cancer Prevention

Trial Information

A Mediterranean Diet in Colon Cancer Prevention

There is substantial epidemiological evidence that dietary patterns influence colorectal
cancer risk. The associations of any particular nutrient with increased or decreased risks,
however, may not be due to that nutrient per se but to the whole foods that are rich in that
nutrient. Simultaneously, reducing intakes of foods associated with increased risk while
increasing foods identified in preventive diets may be the best approach for prevention.
The Cretan-Mediterranean diet in particular appears to hold great promise for cancer
prevention. The major components of the traditional Cretan diet have been associated with
decreased colon cancer. Relative to the American diet, this diet has lower n-6/n-3 and
n-6/n-9 fatty acid ratios, lower polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, lower red meat intake,
and higher intakes of plant-based foods and monounsaturated fatty acids.

The hypothesis of this study is that adherence to a Mediterranean type of diet will result
in a decrease in n-6 fatty acids and increased n-3 and n-9 fatty acids in human colorectal
mucosa. This together with aspects of the diet such as increased intakes of fruits and
vegetables, is expected to modulate eicosanoid metabolism and epithelial proliferation in
normal mucosa. 120 persons, with an increased risk for colorectal cancer, will be
randomized to a modified Mediterranean diet or a Healthy People 2010 diet for six months.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Prior adenomatous polyp.

- Prior resected early (Dukes A, B, or C) colon cancer. With the exception of curative
surgery for small lesions, such as endoscopically removed cancers, eligible subject
will be at least two years post treatment for colorectal cancer.

- A history of colon cancer in a primary relative or in two secondary relatives.

- Good general health and not expecting major lifestyle changes in the next 6 months.

- Age 21 or older.

- Not expecting a change in hormonal therapies over the next 6 months.

- Taking less than 81 mg/day or 325 mg aspirin every other day for prevention of
cardiovascular disease.

- Dietary intake that is within the usual range for a typical American diet.

- Read and understand English.

- Sign the consent and willing to comply with all study procedures.

- Have a telephone.

- At least 5 years post any type of treatment for any other cancer except cancers that
were removed completely by surgery and no other treatment was undergone.

- No more than occasional use (< 25% of the time) of pain medications and willing to
take only regular strength acetaminophen while on study except for 81 mg/day or 325
mg every other day of aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

- On medically prescribed diets or following a diet that would require extensive
counseling to correct nutritional deficiencies.

- Due to the effects of inflammation on biomarker levels in mucosa, persons with
Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease will be excluded.

- Persons with BMI < 18.5 or > 35 kg/m2 since low BMI could indicate eating disorders
and high BMI values, above the midpoint of the obesity range, could indicate more
prevalent health problems and these persons can be more difficult to counsel.

- Persons taking very high levels of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
(NSAIDS) for conditions such as arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition, will be
excluded since it will preclude our ability to detect a further decrease in PGE2.

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